Alloy and method for producing same



Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. BATH, OF ALLIANCE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO NON-COR-ROSIVE METAL ('20., OF OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, A CORPORATION OF OKLAHOMA.

ALLOY AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME.

No Drawing.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES J. RATH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Alloys and Methods for Producing Same, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to alloys and to methods of producing the same.

It is an object of this invention to provide a copper-nickel alloy capable of withstanding high temperatures and of resisting oxidization. Moreover, the invention seeks to afford a metal which is characterized by a pronounced brilliancy, and durability, and which, by reason of its ductile character, may readily be forged, cast or otherwise worked.

Another feature of the invention has to. do with the method by which the metal is produced, it being an object to afford a simple and commercially practicable process.

The metal of the best grade, such as is suitable for rolling includes copper, nickel and manganese in substantially the following percentages:

Per cent. Copper Nickel 21 Manganese 1 In the manufacture of castings, phosphor tin is included and the percentages are varied somewhat as follows:

Percent. Copper Nickel 48 Manganese 1 Phosphor tin 1 Per cent. Copper 50 to 65 Nickel 15 to 18 Zinc 20 to 35 In producing the metal, charcoal or other suitable carbonaceous material is placed in the bottom of a crucible. The charcoal, preferably, should not be granulated or pulverized, but particles about the size of a walnut are suitable. Particles of this size Serial No. 631,691.

will pack sufficiently tight, and due to its porosity the charcoal will absorb any traces of sulphur or other chemical impurities.

Above the charcoal is placed a flux comprising in substantially equal parts, common salt, dried or burned borax and slaked lime. Upon the flux and charcoal are placed the copper and nickel, which are heated to substantially fusing state.

The borax in the flux acts as a. deoxidizing agent, and shields the molten metal from the atmosphere and the gases of combustion. The lime absorbs any sulphur which may be given off or is contained in the gases of combustion, and by forming a coating on the wall of the crucible, prevents the other materials from penetrating the same. The salt serves to reduce any copper oxide which may be formed during the melting and acts as a general cleaner for the moltenvalloy in causing the metal to flow freely while it is being poured.

After the metals have been fused, they are covered with flux, over which is preferably placed a layer of charcoal in order to prevent the gases of combustion from coming into contact with the metal during the melting operation. When the metals are sufficiently hot for pouring, which ordinarily will be after they are heated to approximately 2400 degrees F., the manganese may be added, together with the magnesium and either phosphor tin or zinc.

Subsequently the top covering of charcoal and flux is removed to permit the pouring of the metal.

I claim:

1. An alloy consisting of a substantial amount of copper, not less than approximately 50%, a substantial amount of nickel, not less than approximately 15%, and a small percentage of manganese.

2. An alloy consisting of the following in substantially the percentages specified: 50% copper, 48% nickel, 1% manganese and 1% phosphorus and tin.

3. A method of producing an alloy, which consists in placing upon the bottom of a crucible a suitable carbonaceous material with a flux, covering the flux and carbonaceous material with copper and nickel, heating the metals to a fusing point, covering the materials with flux and carbonaceous material, heating the metals to a molten state, and subsequently removing the ...covering of carbonaceous material and flux to permit pouring of the metal.

4. The method specified in claim 3, in which the flux employed comprises in substantially equal parts, common salt, borax and slaked lime.

5. A method of producing an alloy, which consists in placing upon the bottom of a crucible a suitable carbonaceous material with a flux. covering the flux and carbonaceous material with copper and nickel, heating the metals to a fusing point, covering the materials with flux and carbonaceous material, heating the metals to a molten state, incorporating manganese in the molten metal, and subsequently removing the covering of carbonaceous material and flux to permit pouring of the metal.

6. A method of producing an alloy, which consists in placing upon the bottom of a crucible a, suitable carbonaceous material with a flux, covering the flux and carbonaceous material with copper and nickel, heating the metals to a fusing point, covering the materials with flux and carbonaceous material, heating the metals to a molten state, incorporating manganese and phosphor tin in the molten metal, and subsequently removingthe covering of carbonaceous material and flux to permit pouring of the metal.

7. A method of producing an alloy, Which consists in placing upon the bottom of a crucible a suitable carbonaceous material with a. flux, covering the flux and carbonaceous material with copper and nickel, heating the metals to a fusing point, covering the materials with flux and carbonaceous material, heating the metals to a molten state, incorporating manganese, magnesium and phosphor tin in the molten metal, and subsequently removing the covering of.carbonaceous material and flux to permit pouring of the metal.

8. An alloy consisting of a substantial amount of copper, not less than approximately 50%, a substantial amount of nickel, not less than approximately 15%, a comparatively small percentage of manganese, and a percentage of tin and phosphorus substantially the same as the percentage of manganese.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES J. RATH. 

